Billy Hamilton is already dealing with pressure, as he is taking over as the Reds’ center fielder and lead-off man at the age of 23. Many expect him to become the fourth player since the turn of the millennium to steal 70-plus bases, joining Jacoby Ellsbury (2009), Jose Reyes (2007), and Scott Podsednik (2004). He…

The silver lining about a 10-week injury to Curtis Granderson: Opening Day is still more than a month away. Losing Granderson’s power is far from an ideal way for the Yankees to start the spring, but it’s hardly a season-wrecker either. And while there might be some concern over whether Granderson will regain his power…

Brutal news this afternoon out of Yankees camp. According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, outfielder Curtis Granderson has been diagnosed with a fractured right forearm and will need 10 weeks of rest and rehab. Which means he probably won’t be ready for action until late April or early May. Granderson suffered the injury…

With the player obviously in favor of undergoing the procedure now, the Red Sox have decided to relent: Carl Crawford will have Tommy John surgery Thursday and sit out the rest of the season. Crawford missed the first half of the season rehabbing his wrist and elbow, but he returned last month to hit .282/.306/.479…

Jacoby Ellsbury homered in his rehab game Monday, Carl Crawford is moving his rehab up to Double-A Portland with an eye towards returning right after the All-Star break and Scott Podsednik is rehabbing at Triple-A just awaiting his activation. Ryan Sweeney (toe) will probably be back before the end of the month, too. In the…

How thin are the Red Sox in the outfield with Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury on the disabled list? Well, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com they’ve been scouting Scott Podsednik at Triple-A. Podsednik is playing there because he lost out to fellow slap-hitting speedster Juan Pierre for a spot on the Phillies’ bench and…

The Phillies still look like the class of the NL, but while their win totals have increased five years running, it hasn’t resulted in playoff success the last couple of years. Rotation Roy Halladay – R Cliff Lee – L Cole Hamels – L Vance Worley – R Joe Blanton – R Bullpen Jonathan Papelbon…

When the Dodgers exercised their half of Scott Podsednik’s mutual option earlier this week the assumption was that the speedy outfielder would soon do the same and accept a $2 million salary for 2011, but today Podsednik declined his half of the option and became a free agent. Podsednik earned $1.75 million this season and…

The Dodgers have exercised their half of Scott Podsednik’s mutual option for 2011, meaning the speedy outfielder now has 72 hours to accept the $2 million contract or become a free agent. Acquired from the Royals at the trading deadline, Podsednik took over for Manny Ramirez in left field and hit just .262/.313/.336 in 39…